Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA (USA), Kali graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Urban Studies, Spanish, and Sociology. 

The Hebrew University’s Urban Clinic’s work with the Bernard van Leer Foundation brought Kali to their partner organization, Fundación Casa de la Infancia [House of Childhood Foundation] in Bogotá, Colombia. The Urban95 Crezco con mi barrio (“I grow with my neighborhood”) pilot project in La Acacia neighborhood of Bogotá, aimed to improve urban environments and experiences for children and their caregivers, where public spaces, especially green spaces, access to mobility, and health and education services are lacking or non-existent. Kali saw government entities and NGOs working across urban planning and early childhood development sectors to make spaces safer, healthier, and happier cities for children and their caregivers. Kali was more than impressed that after only a year of this pilot project, the community took it over to complete two brand new public spaces. 

There, she learned first-hand the power of community engagement and ownership, the importance of public space, mobility, and access as it relates to progressive urban planning. She wrote a Methodology Guide to the world-wide Urban95 project using an Asset-Based Community Development approach with participatory methods, as well as an evaluation proposal for the pilot project. 

 

 

Crezco con mi barrio. I grow with my neighborhood. The name of Bogotá’s Urban95 project says it all. In just one year, La Acacia neighborhood residents have taken this project on as their own, furthering their own growth. Before, they didn't have access to public space, as many of us are lucky to grow up with; no outdoor spaces for the kindergarteners to play; streets built only for cars. This initiative gave the community the motivation, connections, and resources to dream up and create their own public spaces, including streets, sidewalks, and parks. These days, they spend every weekend working to rehabilitate two previously abandoned lots: one specifically for children and their caretakers; the other, a green space for the whole community to enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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